I’ve had quite a fun week. I’ve been down at Hillside for the British Masters where I’ve been on the range mingling with players as well as some filming with Joost Luiten on the Titleist tour truck – but you’ll have to wait for all of that!
One thing you won’t have to wait for is my chat with Hillside’s brand new course record holder Matthew Jordan. He did it all with brand new clubs after a flight mishap:
Tuesday: @CallawayGolf build Matt a new set of clubs after his went missing on a flight
Thursday: @matthew_jordan7 sets a new course record at @Hillside_GC
Check out the clubs he used to fire a opening round 63… pic.twitter.com/dSZ9WqdQ5U
— Hannah Holden (@HannahHoldenNCG) May 9, 2019
In the meantime, here is some equipment news that’s caught my eye in the past week or so…
Mini driver
TaylorMade have released the Original One Mini driver which pays homage to the company’s original Pittsburgh Persimmon driver.
It also features many of the latest technologies we see in many of the company’s most notable metalwood offerings.
The Original One Mini driver has a 275cc head and is designed to sit directly between a driver and a fairway wood in your golf bag set-up. It has been designed to have an ultra-low centre of gravity so it can be used not only off the tee but also from the fairway.
I should have one in my hands soon so keep an eye out for my thoughts on it.
RRP: From £369
Available: Now
More information can be found on the TaylorMade website.
Happy birthday to you
Let’s stick with TaylorMade, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this week.
The company, founded by an entrepreneur Gary Adams in McHenry, Illinois, in 1979, released the first premium metalwood driver and formed the company to manufacture and market his creation.
And they sure know how to celebrate.
In this viral clip, TaylorMade staffers Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, John Rahm and Jason Day hit the original Pittsburgh Persimmon to see just how much technology has evolved over the last 40 years…
2019 meets 1979.@TigerWoods, @McIlroyRory, @DJohnsonpga, @jonrahmpga and @JDayGolf go back in time and let it rip with the Original One, the very first metalwood. #TaylorMade40 #TeamTaylorMade pic.twitter.com/kwm877PGdU
— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) April 30, 2019
Thirty years of FootJoy
FootJoy are also cutting birthday cakes. To celebrate 30 years of the DryJoys franchise they are releasing a limited-edition 30th Anniversary DryJoys Tour shoe.
DryJoys first launched in 1989 and reinvented the standards for waterproof golf shoe technology.
We have seen the shoe used across global tours since its inception. Zach Johnson won both his majors, eight years apart, wearing DryJoys.
DryJoys Tour are know for their traditional styling combined with cutting edge technology to create enhanced stability for the classically styled golfer.
The limited-edition shoe is an iconic plain toe saddle style in a white and grey croc colouring, it also features a unique white midsole colouration and commemorative FitBeds. Each pair will also come with a 30th Anniversary shoe bag.
Here’s what Richard Fryer, FJ’s director of product management, had to say:
“While the style and design of the DryJoys has remained constant over the past 30 years each new introduction has delivered additional comfort, stability and traction with advancements in technology.
“This is proven by the significant number of tour professionals who have put their faith in the DryJoys name over the past three decades.
The 30th anniversary shoe is available in limited quantities and is on sale at selected FJ stockists.
More information can be found on the FootJoy website.
Pretty in pink
Ahead of the PGA Championship Puma have released a limited edition “Warning Pack” which will include headwear, footwear and a golf bag. The whole range is inspired by the infamous sign cautioning players of the difficulty of the challenging Black Course at Bethpage State Park.
The Warning Pack will be a major part of Rickie Fowler’s Puma scripting during the opening two rounds of the second major of the year.
More information can be found on the Puma website.
Etiqus secures European patent
The founder of British watch brand Etiqus, which offers elegant timepieces exclusively designed for golfers, has successfully secured a patent from the European Patent Office for a golf timepiece invention.
A golf watch is usually associated with GPS-based devices that golfers wear on their wrist. Etiqus founder Gary Butler believes that there is a gap in the market for traditional watches that passionate golfers can wear – mainly off the course – to show their love for the game.
Says Butler:
My concept for a credible golf timepiece is exactly that – a watch that captures, through its design and function, the key timing aspects in the Rules of Golf which have been given even greater emphasis in the new 2019 modernised rules and are seen to be of real importance to a successful future for golf.
More information can be found on the Etiqus website.
[post_list title=”More equipment news” ids=167270,165710,160630]
Hannah Holden
